Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh has said that India has witnessed significant growth in innovation and research over the past decade. Speaking at the 85th Foundation Day celebration of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Minister said that the country has seen greater innovation, research activities and the establishment of new laboratories in the last ten years than in the previous five to six decades.

He said that the success stories of CSIR are now becoming more visible than ever before. He also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to technology and said that maintaining technological sovereignty is essential for safeguarding India’s overall sovereignty. Dr. Singh said that under Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, CSIR should look beyond 2047 and work towards addressing the technological needs of the future.

During the event, the Minister unveiled ‘CIRA’, the new mascot of CSIR, which will represent the organisation’s research and innovation. He also launched CSIR’s magazine, ‘Vigyan Kshitij’ which will now be available in five Indian languages.